Inspectors: Improvements made at £48k-a-year Menorah Grammar School

A private Jewish school labelled “unhygienic and unsafe” has improved, according to a new inspection.

Menorah Grammar School, an independent boys’ school in Edgware charging fees of up to £48,000 a year, had been slapped with the worst possible rating by Ofsted in June.

Pupils were described as “at risk of harm” and teachers were described as “struggling to manage pupils’ behaviour” which was labelled “concerning”, alongside fears over the state of the building.

However, a new Ofsted report published this week found improvements had been made, spearheaded by a transformation of the school premises.

“At the time of the previous inspection in March 2020, teachers were struggling to manage pupils’ behaviour,” found the report. 

“Pupils failed to take responsibility for their behaviour and did not show appropriate respect for the school environment.

“This inspection found that leaders have implemented appropriate plans to improve pupils’ behaviour. 

“At the centre of these plans has been the wholesale transformation of the school building.”

The inspection, carried out in March, assessed the school’s compliance with the independent school standards. 

While not all criteria were assessed, it was deemed in compliance, including those “that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection.”

The school has 325 pupils, aged between 11 and 21, according to the report. Most of those go on to study at a Yeshiva, it says.